The retro scene has had the odd surprise or
two over the years, and this week’s news left even Shaun somewhat amazed.
Shaun has a passionate interest in 8-bit
computing and gaming, and has been finding novel ways to use retro technology
since 1994.
Retro - Cloud Computing
It was once claimed that the Sinclair ZX81
could run a nuclear power station. I wouldn’t personally like to test out that
theory out, and I’m sure many others would be somewhat apprehensive about doing
so. One thing that it can do, though, thanks to some wizardry from the German
Zeddy enthusiast Siggi, is access the internet to manage your files and view
(presumably primitive) web pages from the mighty black box.
That’s right, the second most primitive
personal computer of the 1980s (and only after the ZX80) will do could
computing. A demonstration has been posted on YouTube showing the
initialization of the ZX81’s network card, using a program called IPConfig
(sounds familiar). Thereafter, ZeddyFox is loaded form a web-sever, followed by
a game, thankfully all of which is faster than cassette tape.
As you would expect, there are some
technicalities to overcome. Firstly, you’ll need at least 32K of additional RAM
(40K is recommended), so you’re best off getting hold of a ZXPand upgrade from www.rwapsoftward.co.uk, as well as
some other custom hardware. All of the required information is found at
tinyurl.com/ZeddyFox.
I recall reading in several articles over
the years that Sir Clive Sinclair was somewhat bemused about his computer being
used primarily for games. Well, the mind boggles as to what he’d make of this
development. If you’re reading, Sir Clive, tell me what you think by dropping
me an email an shaun@micromart.co.uk
and for anyone else reading, I’d love to hear from you too, about this or
anything else retro-related.
A kind of magic
Cloud computing comes to the Sinclair
ZX8 personal computer
The Spanish-based RetroWorks has released
the colour 2D maze game MajiKazo for the Sinclair ZX Pectrum with 48K or more,
which was released for the MSX and compatible systems in 2006.
The object is to help Flush, a hapless
wizard cleaner who has chosen to work in a vast, expansive castle filled with
all kinds of creatures that must be vanished from the fortress.
Each level consists of a single-screen
room, which will present several different types of nasties and roamers as you
play. These appear from special ‘generator’ blocks. There are bonuses and
power-ups to collect, which need to be uncovered first, as well as four keys to
grab, opening the door to the next level. With 24 challengers to play through,
there’s quite a lot of game there.
You can find the download to this game,
complete with instructions, by using the World of Spectrum infoseek facility
available through www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek.cgi.
